Canning screw band charm clip and assembly

ABSTRACT

A clip for removably retaining a canning screw band during use having two oppositely disposed arms for holding an outer surface of the canning screw band. An arcuate shaped bridge portion connects the arms and retains decorative inserts within the canning screw band to provide a canning screw band charm. Each arm has a receiving slot for receiving a connecting ring that may be used to connect multiple canning screw band charms together in linked relation.

PRIOR HISTORY

This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/754,198, filed Jan. 9, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparel belts and more particularly to fashion belts utilizing multiple parts for decorative customization.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Belt attachment structures allowing attachment of functional elements to belts have been known for quite some time. Many of the prior art belts conceived require functional elements that are specially made to fit the attachment means employed by the belt. Some of these functional attachment belts are disclosed here.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,013 issued to Johnson discloses a stabilizing belt comprising a pliable belt, means for securing the band about the waist of the forward person of a tandem pair, and at least two discrete hand grip assemblies for the rearward person of the pair. The hand grip assembly utilizes an anchor member adjustably mounted to the belt to carry a loop of material for hand gripping by the reward person.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,935 issued to Chambonnet discloses a belt structure particularly suited for carrying diving equipment having structure for securing a rigid element that further secures equipment such as a compressed air tank.

Apparel belts allowing customization to express beliefs or allegiance to a particular organization such as a sports team have also been previously conceived. These prior art belts also require pieces that are specially made to fit the connecting means employed by the belt. Some of these belts are disclosed here.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,685 issued to Grandis discloses an ornamental elasticized fabric belt having a number of ornamental discs or medallions arranged in seriatim about the band. The medallions overlap each other giving a unique and expensive appearance to the belt. As the belt is caused to expand, the medallions are caused to move with respect to each other, thus changing the appearance of the ornamentation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,829 issued to Relaford discloses an apparel belt with decorative strips which are attachable to the outer side of the belt by a pair of socket elements which engage stud elements located along the length of the belt. The decorative strips are interchangeable and may include different letters or words thereon allowing the wearer to communicate a message.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,680 issued to Abbondandolo discloses action figures having female connections formed on the back and a belt having a plurality of male connectors so that the action figures may be attached to the belt.

Although the belts previously discussed provide means for attaching elements to a belt for functional or aesthetic purposes, the prior art still lacks an attachment structure for belts that accept items that are not specially made for attachment to another item such as a belt. To fulfill this need, the claimed invention provides a clip for retaining preexisting items that may be used to create decorative items such as a fashion belt.

As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the customizable fashion belt of the claimed invention differs from the previously proposed inventions and employs a number of novel features that render it highly advantageous over the aforementioned prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the claimed invention to provide a clip for holding a frame, such as the canning screw band of a two-piece canning lid used with canning jars, that may be used in the construction of various arts and crafts.

It is another object of the claimed invention to provide a clip for holding a frame that may be linked with other clips to form a chain of frames.

It is further object of the claimed invention to provide a customizable fashion belt having a plurality of frames displaying decorative artwork.

It is an even further object of the claimed invention to provide a canning screw band charm clip and assembly for displaying decorative artwork through the canning screw band.

To achieve these objects as well as others that will become evident after a reading of this specification and viewing the appended drawings, a customizable fashion belt is provided. The customizable fashion belt generally comprises a belt, a plurality of clips, a plurality of connector pieces and a plurality of frames framing various types of decorative inserts.

The clips comprise a pair of arms, a pair of shoulders, a pair of receiving slots, a bridge portion and a clasp portion. The arms each have a cutaway portion to facilitate easy removal of the frames and have base portions that coact with the shoulders to retain the frame within the clip. The clamp portions of the arms provide a secondary means for retaining the frame within the clip in the event that the frame is unseated from the shoulders. The shoulders are generally shaped to engage the inner walls of the frame and are spaced by the bridge portion such that the frame seats over the shoulders with a snap fit. The clasp portion forms a second clip that may be used to clip a single clip to another object such as a typical apparel belt. The clip may be used to create other decorative objects such as wall hangings and refrigerator magnets.

The frames have at least one side member that frame inserts displayed within the display aperture of the frames. The frames may take the form of canning screw bands used with canning jars giving the fashion belt a unique appearance and provides the additional feature of using a preexisting uniform utilitarian item that 29 million homes already have. A customized fashion belt assembled with canning screw bands provides a fashion accessory with a novel appearance that has not been previously seen.

When the clips and frames are used to create a customized fashion belt, the belt is placed through the apertures of the connector pieces and the arms of the clips are then placed through the apertures adjacent the belt. Decorative inserts are then assembled within the frames and the frames are then clipped into place within the clips connected to the belt.

Another embodiment of the claimed invention is a clip for removably retaining a canning screw band comprising first and second arms, each having a base portion and a clamp portion spaced at a distance apart for receiving a canning screw band during use. A connector ring receiving slot is positioned between the base portion and the clamp portion of each arm for receiving a connector ring. An arcuate shaped bridge portion connects the base portions of the arms and retains an insert within the canning screw band during use.

A further embodiment of the claimed invention is a multiple clip assembly for retaining a plurality of canning screw bands. A first clip has an arm with a base portion and a clamp portion spaced at a distance apart for receiving a canning screw band during use and a first receiving slot positioned between the base portion and clamp portion. A second clip has a second arm with a second base portion and a second clamp portion spaced at a distance apart for receiving a canning screw band during use and a second receiving slot position between the second base portion and the second clamp portion. A connector ring connects the first clip and second clip in linked relation. The connector ring has an openable closure for opening the ring to receive the first receiving slot of the first clip and the second receiving slot of the second clip.

An even further embodiment of the claimed invention is a clip for removably retaining a canning screw band during use having two oppositely disposed arms for holding an outer surface of the canning screw band and an arcuate shaped bridge portion connecting the arms. The arcuate shape of the bridge portion retains an insert within a canning screw band during use.

A still further embodiment of the claimed invention is a canning screw band charm assembly comprising a clip having two oppositely disposed arms for holding an outer surface of a canning screw band with an arcuate shaped bridge portion connecting the arms. A receiving slot is positioned between the base portion and clamp portion of each arm. A canning screw band is retained by the clip and an insert is retained within the canning screw band by the arcuate shaped bridge portion of the clip. A connector ring in linked relation with the clip having an openable closure for opening the ring to receive the receiving slot of the clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. A perspective view of a fully assembled customized fashion belt.

FIG. 2. A perspective view of a clip of the claimed invention.

FIG. 3. A perspective view of a clip assembled with belt slides.

FIG. 4. A side view illustrating assembly of the customizable fashion belt.

FIG. 5. An exploded perspective view of a canning screw band and inserts.

FIG. 6. An enlarged perspective view of a canning screw band being assembled in a clip of the customized fashion belt.

FIG. 7. An enlarged perspective view of a section of an assembled customizable fashion belt.

FIG. 8. A partial cross sectional view of a canning screw band and inserts engaged with a clip.

FIG. 9. A perspective view of a fully assembled customized fashion belt worn by a user.

FIG. 10. A perspective view of an alternate use for the clip and canning screw band assembly.

FIG. 11. A perspective view of another embodiment of the claimed invention in the form of a canning screw band charm assembly.

FIG. 12. A perspective view of the back of the canning screw band charm assembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13. A perspective view of a pair of clips according to another embodiment of the claimed invention.

FIG. 14. A perspective view illustrating assembly of a clip and a canning screw band.

FIG. 15. A perspective view illustrating disassembly of a clip from a canning screw band.

FIG. 16. A perspective view of a plurality of canning screw band charm assemblies in linked relation.

FIG. 17. A perspective view of the back of the assemblies of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the customizable fashion belt 10 generally comprising a belt 20, a plurality of clips 30, a plurality of connector pieces 40 or belt slides and a plurality of frames 50 shown in the form of canning screw bands framing various types of decorative artwork 60. The decorative artwork 60 is preferably protected by a transparent cover insert 62, and backed by a backing insert 64 shown in FIG. 5 as a canning lid. The customizable fashion belt 10 allows users to assemble a unique fashion item that displays items of particular interest to the user.

The belt 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 is a shoe string type belt made of woven fabric. However, it is contemplated that belts of various size, shape and composition may be used to accomplish the objects of the claimed invention. A buckle such as the string lock 66 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 may be used to fasten the belt 10 about the waist of a wearer. FIG. 10 shows an alternate use for the clip 30 where the clip is attached to a typical apparel belt 70.

The clip 30 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 generally comprises a pair of arms 80, a pair of shoulders 90, a pair of receiving slots 100, a bridge portion 110 and a clasp portion 120. In a preferred embodiment of the clip 30 where the clip 30 is designed to retain a typical canning screw band 50 that is sized to fit a standard canning jar mouth of about 2⅜ inches, the overall length of the clip 30 is about 3.818 inches and the overall width is about 0.625 inches with an overall height of about 0.907 inches. The typical cross sectional thickness of the clip 30 is about 0.125 inches.

The arms 80 each have a cutaway portion 130 to facilitate easy removal of the frames or canning screw bands 50 and have base portions 140 that coact with the shoulders 90 to retain the canning screw band 50 within the clip 30. The base portions 140 of the arms 80 shown in the drawings are spaced about 0.125 inches from the shoulder portions 90 to engage the outer diameter of the canning screw band 50 that is typically about 2.813 inches. The clamp portions 150 of the arms 80 extend over the top face 160 of the canning screw band 50 providing a secondary means for retaining the canning screw band 50 within the clip 30 in the event that the canning screw band 50 is unseated from the shoulders 90. The clamp portions 150 are spaced at about 0.030 inches above the top face 160 of the canning screw band 50 to allow room for removal of the canning screw band 50 from the clip 30.

The shoulders 90 are generally shaped to engage the inner threaded walls 170 of the canning screw band 50 and are spaced by the bridge portion 110 such that the canning screw bands 50 seat over the shoulders 90 with a snap fit. The shoulder portions 90 of the clip 30 shown in the drawings are spaced at about 2.656 inches apart to engage the inner walls 170 of the canning screw band 50 with a typical inner diameter of about 2.75 inches.

The receiving slots 100 are sized and shaped to receive portions 175 of the belt slides 40 that link two or more clips 30 together. The receiving slots 100 shown in the drawings are about 0.813 inches wide.

The clasp portion 120 extends generally parallel with the bridge portion 110 forming a second clip that may be used to clip a single clip 30 to another object such as a typical apparel belt 70 as shown in FIG. 10. The clasp arm 180 shown in the drawings is about 1.781 inches long creating an opening 190 of about 0.625 inches.

The connector pieces or belt slides 40 are used to link two or more of the clips 30 together when a plurality of clips 30 are used to create different items such as the customizable fashion belt 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. The overall width of the belt slide 40 is about 0.938 inches. Each belt slide 40 has a pair of apertures 200 that are each sized and shaped to receive the belt 20 and an arm 80 of the clip 30. The apertures 200 shown in the drawings are about 0.625 inches by 0.25 inches. A portion of the belt slides 175 fit within the receiving slots 100 of the clip 30 as shown in FIG. 3.

The frames 50 have at least one side member that frame inserts 60, 62 and 64 displayed within the display aperture 210 of the frames 50. The frames 50 shown in FIG. 1 are in the form of canning screw bands 50 designed to fit a canning jar with a 2⅜ inch open mouth. However, it is contemplated that frames of various size, shape and composition may be used to accomplish the objects of the claimed invention. The canning screw bands 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5-10 have a generally circular sidewall 220 with a right angled cross section 230 as shown in FIG. 8.

The inserts shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 preferably comprise a protective transparent cover insert 62, a decorative insert 60 such as a picture of a popular celebrity and a backing insert 64. The backing insert 64 shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 is a canning lid. However, it is contemplated that backing inserts of various size, shape and composition may be used to accomplish the objects of the invention, particularly when other types of frames 50 are utilized.

The customizable fashion belt 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 is assembled by first inserting the belt 20 through the apertures 200 of the slides 40 and then inserting the arms 80 of the clips 30 within the apertures 200 of the slides 40 adjacent the belt 20 as shown in FIG. 4. The inserts 60, 62 and 64 are then placed in the canning screw band 50 as shown in FIG. 5 with the protective transparent cover insert 62 first, the decorative insert 60 second and the canning lid backing insert 64 last. The assembled frame 240 is then placed in the clip 30 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 so that the shoulders 90 of the clip 30 hold the inserts 60, 62 and 64 against the inner surfaces 170 of the canning screw band 50 as shown in FIG. 8. This process is repeated with each frame 240 until all of the clips 30 have been filled. The resulting customized fashion belt 10 can then be worn around the waist as shown in FIG. 9.

The clip 30 of the claimed invention can also be used in many other applications such as a single decorative charm holder 250 that may be attached to an ordinary apparel belt 70 shown in FIG. 10, or may be used as a refrigerator magnet or wall hanging.

FIGS. 11-17 disclose another embodiment of the claimed invention as a charm holder assembly 300 generally comprising a clip 310, a canning screw band 320, a connecting ring 330, and inserts 340 within the canning screw band 320.

The clips 310 shown in FIG. 13 are preferably made of 0.032 inches thick zinc dichromate plated annealed spring steel and generally comprise a pair of oppositely opposed arms 350 connected by an arcuately shaped bridge portion 360. Each arm has a clamp portion 370, a base portion 380 and a retaining ring slot portion 390 positioned between each clamp portion 370 and base portion 380. The clamp portion 370 is preferably positioned at a 60 angle from the retaining ring slot that is formed by another 60 angle. The base portion is formed by a 90 angle from the arm 350 of the clip 310. The arcuate shape of the base portion 380 shown throughout the drawings preferably has a 1.75 inch radius arc. When used with a canning screw band 320 intended for use with a canning jar having a mouth 2⅜ inch wide, the overall length of the clip is preferably about 5.05 inches and has a width of about 0.375 inches.

The connecting ring 330 shown in FIGS. 11-12 and 16-17 has an openable closure 400 that is opened during assembly so that a portion of the ring 330 may be inserted in the retaining ring slot 390, and then closed to provide a linked relation between the clip 310 and the connecting ring 330.

The clip 310 is assembled to the canning screw band 320 as shown in FIG. 14 and disassembled as shown in FIG. 15. During assembly of the charm holder assembly 300, the canning screw band 320 is preferably oriented face down with the inserts 340 position within band 320. The clip 310 is correspondingly oriented with the arms 350 facing downwardly and slid about the side wall 410 of the band 320 so that the lip 420 of the band 320 seats against the base portions 380 of the clip 310 and the clamp portions 370 clamp the front face 430 of the band 320 as shown in FIG. 11. When assembled, the arcuately shaped bridge portion 360 holds the inserts 340 against the inner face 440 of the band 320 as shown in FIG. 12. Optionally, a plurality of charm holder assemblies may be linked together by a connecting ring 330 as shown in FIGS. 16-17 to form a number of different types of trinket novelties.

Although the invention has been described by reference to some embodiments it is not intended that the novel device be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings. 

1. A clip for removably retaining a canning screw band, the clip comprising: a first arm having a base portion and a clamp portion spaced at a distance apart for receiving a canning screw band during use; a second arm having a second base portion and a second clamp portion spaced at a distance apart for receiving a canning screw band during use; a connector ring receiving slot positioned between the base portion and the clamp portion of the first arm for receiving a connector ring; and an arcuate shaped bridge portion connecting the base portion of the first arm to the second base portion of the second arm, the arcuate shape of the bridge portion retaining an insert within the canning screw band during use.
 2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the arcuate shaped bridge portion is made of spring steel yieldable during insertion of a canning screw band into the clip.
 3. The clip of claim 2, wherein the clamp portions of the arms engage an outer surface of a canning screw band during use.
 4. A multiple clip assembly for retaining a plurality of canning screw bands, the assembly comprising: a first clip having an arm with a base portion and a clamp portion spaced at a distance apart for receiving a canning screw band during use; a first receiving slot positioned between the base portion and clamp portion of the first clip; a second clip having a second arm with a second base portion and a second clamp portion spaced at a distance apart for receiving a canning screw band during use; a second receiving slot position between the second base portion and the second clamp portion of the second clip; a connector ring for connecting the first clip and second clip in linked relation, the connector ring having an openable closure for opening the ring to receive the first receiving slot of the first clip and the second receiving slot of the second clip.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising an insert sized and shaped to fit within a canning screw band during use, the insert retained within a canning screw band by an arcuate shaped bridge portion connected the arm of the first clip.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the clamp portion of the first clip engages an outer surface of a canning screw band during use.
 7. A clip for removably retaining a canning screw band during use having two oppositely disposed arms for holding an outer surface of the canning screw band and an arcuate shaped bridge portion connecting the arms, the arcuate shape of the bridge portion retaining an insert within a canning screw band during use.
 8. The clip of claim 7, wherein the arcuate shaped bridge portion is made of spring steel yieldable during insertion of a canning screw band into the clip.
 9. The clip of claim 7 further comprising a receiving slot positioned adjacent the bridge portion for receiving a connector ring during use.
 10. A canning screw band charm assembly comprising: a clip having two oppositely disposed arms for holding an outer surface of a canning screw band with an arcuate shaped bridge portion connecting the arms; a receiving slot positioned between the base portion and clamp portion of each arm; a canning screw band retained by the clip; an insert retained within the canning screw band by the arcuate shaped bridge portion of the clip; and a connector ring in linked relation with the clip having an openable closure for opening the ring to receive the receiving slot of the clip.
 11. The charm assembly of claim 10, wherein the canning screw band has a circular side wall with a bottom lip and a top face perpendicular to the side wall, the bottom lip seated against the base portion of each arm and the clamp portion of each arm engaged with the top face of the side wall.
 12. The charm assembly of claim 11, wherein the arcuate shaped bridge portion of the clip is made of spring steel yieldable during insertion of the canning screw band into the clip. 